Touch screen device for a portable terminal

Abstract

A touch screen device for a portable terminal includes an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) film providing a touch screen feature; a light guide film attached onto one surface of the ITO film; and a light emitting device attached onto one surface of the ITO film and disposed in one side of the light guide film, wherein light output from the light emitting device provides lighting to an area where the light guide film is attached, while passing through the light guide film, and wherein the light guide film and the light emitting device are installed on the ITO film by a surface mounting process, thus reducing manufacturing costs and making it possible to secure more space capable of mounting other parts which in turn contribute in miniaturizing portable terminals.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 11, 2012 and assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0003409, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a portable terminal, and more particularly, to a touch screen device for a portable terminal.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]In general, portable terminals such as mobile communication terminals and portable multimedia devices typically include a display device and a transparent window member mounted on the display device.[0006]A portable terminal allows its user to input information or perform various manipulations using a separate input device such a keypad and a trackpad. Recently, however, as users may perform various functions such as Internet access and multimedia playback eve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a touch screen device that allows for an easy installation space for a keypad lighting device, which helps to make the device smaller. It also allows for the use of a surface mounting process for the keypad lighting device, which reduces manufacturing costs. Additionally, the device prevents interference from other parts that may be added to expand the display screen.

Problems solved by technology

The substrate assembly 20 has a thickness similar to or greater than that of the display device, thus making it difficult to ensure its installation space during the fabrication process.

Further, such a cumbersome assembly has a drawback in efforts to miniaturize the portable terminal.

Moreover, a separate manufacturing process for assembling and installing the substrate assembly 20 is required which in turn raises the manufacturing cost.

However, the substrate assembly 20 having a thickness similar to or greater than that of the display device is an obstacle in securing the space 35 for coupling slide rails.

When the display device, the slide rail coupling space, and the substrate assembly are placed on the same plane due to the limited thickness of the portable terminal, there are many limitations, therefore, in expanding the display device and setting the position of the substrate assembly.

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